THE BIRTH OF PIGLETS!
Today was a historic day on the farm. We welcomed our first litter of piglets to the world. They were delivered by our sweet Berkshire pig named Patch. She let me assist her delivery and has allowed me in and out of the stall all day. (Momma pigs are known to be very protective of their babies to the point of attack, so this is a big thing).
It started off like most mornings here on the farm. At 5 am the alarm goes off. It’s time to start the barn chores. She ate her morning breakfast but was acting a bit off. Knowing she could deliver anytime, I prepared a nice maternity ward for her. When I tried to move her, she wouldn’t go. She had already prepared an area. It seemed nothing would persuade her to move from it. I had to then, move Wilbur (the Dad of her babies) to a different location so she could labor without being bothered.
The kids woke up and got ready for school, I told them today is the day for baby pigs so they ran off to see Patch. As I finished packing up the car to leave for school, I walked into the barn to get the kids. They were all yelling, “There’s a butt coming out of a butt!!”. (Patch was delivering her first baby, and the baby was coming out breech).
Now picture this. I was supposed to go on a quick run with a friend after dropping the kids off at school so I was in my running apparel and a pair of boots. The kids informed me that this baby has been stuck halfway out for about 10minutes. (I think they didn’t come and get me because they didn’t want to miss anything.) I keep a birthing bucket in the barn that contains most of the items I might need to assist a delivery. There is no time to lose. I have to get this baby out quickly. I jump into her stall running clothes and all to assist. I quickly grab a wee-wee pad, paper towels, and some gloves. The pads are for the baby to be on a clean area and paper towels to clean them off. As her contractions begin, and she pushes, I gently pulled on the baby. After three contractions, the baby was finally out. She wasn’t breathing and I didn’t think she would make it as she was stuck for so long. I suctioned the fluid out of her mouth and nose and dried her off. I started rubbing her for stimulation. After a few minutes, she started responding and in no time she was ready to find a teat. We saved to piglet. The kids were so excited to watch and of course, I couldn’t leave Patch laboring on her own to bring the kids to school 40 minutes away. I called the school and told them we won’t be in today because we are delivering piglets. (That’s an excused absence, right?)
I thought she would deliver the piglets one after the other. It turned out to be a waiting game. I was able to change into proper farm attire between the first and the second piglet and was ready to deliver the rest of the babies. After 3 hours, and a lot of waiting, she had delivered eight healthy piglets.
In school that very week, my daughter had learned about the reproductive system. As Patch delivered the placenta, I took the opportunity to show her the parts of the placenta and explained it’s purpose, how it works and how it attaches to the uterine wall. She was a little grossed out and kept telling me to put it down. I thought it was great that she got to see one and experience this so young. The first time I saw a placenta, was the day I delivered her.
Once the placenta was delivered, we cleaned up Patch and the area, gave her some food, nice fresh water, and lots of love. She did amazing especially for being a first-time mom. She is an amazing mom and has been attending them perfectly all day.
As all of this went on, I couldn’t help but think what an amazing experience this is for my children. Anytime you get to see new life come into the world, you are witnessing a miracle. I am so grateful for this experience and for the beautiful piglets that arrived today.